ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that strengthening of cooperation with Pakistan is part of the economic agenda of China.
His remarks came during the delegation level talks between Pakistan and China in Islamabad on Monday, being held hours after the Chinese president accompanied by a delegation arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while the Chinese president was leading his country’s delegation at the talks.
During the talks, the Chinese president said that promotion of Pak-China relations is our joint heritage and our bright future.
Xi Jinping expressed the confidence that implementation of the Pakistan China Economic Corridor project would open a new chapter of cooperation between the two countries.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan is fully resolved to deepen its relations further with China.
“China is our trusted and best friend,” the prime minister said.
“We warmly welcome a great leader from our great friend,” he said in reference to Xi Jinping’s maiden visit to Pakistan.
The prime minister said that people of Pakistan were anxiously waiting for the visit of the Chinese president. He also welcomed the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan, who is accompanying the President Xi Jinping.
During the delegation level talks, the two sides were exploring ways and means to further strengthen their bilateral relations besides exchange of views on important regional and global issues.
It is expected that after the talks, the two sides are expected to sign a number of agreements and memorandums of understandings (MoUs) for cooperation in different fields.
The Chinese president will also hold separate meetings with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit. He will also address the joint session of the Parliament on Tuesday in Islamabad.
